Sealers For Concrete, Masonry, Bricks And Stones

Concrete That Needs Sealing

Using the latest technology SPS provides the most advanced sealers for concrete, masonry, bricks and stones.

They provide unsurpassed sealing performance , while being environmentally friendly, and is suitable for all types of Concrete, Masonry, Bricks and Stone. SPS is a product that demonstrates UNSURPASSED Sealing, Protecting and Strengthening Performance!

Introduction

SPS sealing solutions were developed in the early 1900's. (not branded SPS at that time)

Today the business of manufacturing these sealers is still in the same family and with modifications in the chemistry due to technology and environmental laws still leads the way in solving the many of the worlds problems with concrete durability.

These products are the bench mark in the concrete sealing industry.
Other product variations have followed claiming to have discovered what SPS has been doing for nearly a century.

There are now over 40 products in the range that are shipped all over the globe with some products being the only kind available in the world.

Applications & Benefits

How does SPS work?

SPS is a waterproofing sealant that is made specifically for concrete structures to solve the damaging problems caused by water, freeze/thaw, acids, caustics, salt-erosion, oils, juices, algae, bacteria, mammal excrement, and other such pollutants.
It solves problems resulting from dusting, algae formation, softening, loss of strength, water and other pollutant penetration, saponification or simple efflorescence (ordinary concrete disintegration).

SPS is a water-borne sealant product used to seal, strengthen, and condition all concrete structures. All of the action of takes place down inside the concrete.

When SPS comes in contact with the alkali and calcium ions inside the concrete, within seconds it forms a cold permanent compound in the form of a gel.
This gel expands inside the pores and hairline cracks.
The gel will turn the surface stone hard in about 90 days, filling pores and hairline cracks, thus turning the concrete into a solid mass that resists the penetration of destructive pollutants and stops moisture migration via capillary action.

Therefore, since SPS deeply penetrates the concrete, the concrete is now sealed permanently from the inside, not just temporarily on the surface as achieved from other topical sealants.

Anywhere that you have concrete - Seal, Protect and Condition it with SPS

Safety and Environment

SPS is Non-toxic, Non-hazardous and Non-flammable.
It has no VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and no Solvents.
SPS is a water-based, fast drying, penetrating concrete sealer that has no unpleasant odour.

Application rates

SPS is simply sprayed onto the concrete with a low-pressure sprayer or knapsack sprayer.

SPS can be applied by specific applicators or DIY making the application very flexible and convenient.

Spread rate: Ordinarily, one litre will treat approx 10 sq. metres with one application. Much higher rates of coverage are frequently obtained. Obviously porous concrete block consumes more product.
See instructions for application details.

Acid and Solvent Resistance

The liquids listed were tested at full strength as they normally are sold and used commercially. The resistance rating is based on a combination of the concrete resistance to penetration, absorption, disintegration, and the ability to recover and stabilize.

SPS treated concrete will resist the penetration of acids and resist alkali damage thereby increasing the life of the concrete.

Porosity

Webster's New World Dictionary defines porosity as, "Being full of pores, or tiny holes, through which fluids, air, or light may pass."

Normally, concrete is a mixture of four basic ingredients: sand, gravel, cement, and water. In the mixing process, as certain amount of air is mixed into the concrete. The water and air take up space inside the concrete even after the concrete is poured in place and during the early stage of setting.

When the concrete is "worked" in place and begins to polymerize, the heavier ingredients have a tendency to settle to the bottom and the lighter ingredients have a tendency to float to the top. Water being the lightest of the four basic ingredients, floats to the top and is evaporated away, or is squeezed out the sides or bottom. As the water is squeezed out, it moves in all directions. Water, being a solid in that it takes up space, leaves millions of small rivulets and pores crisscrossed in all directions. As the air escapes, it has the same effect.

These small rivulets or hollow spaces tie together creating what we call pores. Quite often the pores create hairline cracks inside the concrete, weakening the concrete. As the capillary action of the concrete draws water up into the concrete, or rain hits the side of a concrete wall, or water hydrology bears against a concrete basement wall, the water travels via these pores through the concrete.

The pores are interwoven and interconnected, thus allowing a slow seepage of water through the concrete. The denser the concrete, the tighter the pores, and less water is allowed to pass through.

SPS is the solution.

Moisture Migration

The pores and rivulets will act exactly as a sponge and reacts near moisture of any type. It will absorb from all directions. Substrate moisture from below, rain from above, standing or running water on any side will be absorbed. As this migration is taking place many other destructive pollutants are being absorbed into the concrete. As this process begins, it is like an unstoppable action that we can relate to in the action of a wick in a gas lantern, except we have no way of rolling the wick down and smothering the flame.

This wicking process carries all kinds of contaminates with it such as hazardous gases (Radon), odours, sulphate minerals, salts, lime and many other pollutants.

Some of these pollutants pass through in a liquid form, to revert back to a gas at the surface of the concrete. Other pollutants are held captive in the pores to become degenerative minerals (such as sulfates and nitrates in some areas of the country) creating rapid softening and decay of the concrete.

SPS is the solution.

Cracks & Reinforcement Protection

The average person tends to over look the facts of what is happening to the embedded steel with all this moisture, salts and other minerals passing across the steel. Most people see cracks appear in their concrete and don't realize that it was probably caused by rust build up on the embedded steel. Rust (oxidation) grows very rapidly on embedded steel under certain conditions and will physically expand until it cracks the surrounding concrete.

Bacteria, Algae, Lichen, Fungi

Algae, mildew and moss are present on concrete because of moisture in the concrete. These plants and bacteria need moisture to survive. If the moisture is eliminated by sealing the walls or floor with SPS: after a through cleaning you have eliminated a place for this pollutant to exist.

Alkali

The increased use of concrete sub-floors in direct contact with the ground makes it more important than ever to understand the moisture and alkali content in these sub-floors. The effect on the surface sealers (paints) and floor coverings are problems that we have faced for many years in the construction world. Well known as the "Alkali Problem", this condition is primarily a problem of moisture. Alkali is present in every concrete slab and is more detrimental with moisture. On adequately ventilated suspended concrete sub-floors, moisture is not present in troublesome quantities. Where the slab is in direct contact with the ground or a poorly ventilated airspace, moisture is brought up through the slab by capillary action. It dissolves the alkali salts in the concrete and appears at the surface as a destructive solution.

The most serious difficulty caused by alkaline solutions is the chemical reaction, "saponification". This is essentially the same reaction that takes place when certain oils or fatty acids are mixed with alkali, as with the manufacturing of soap. Although moisture and alkali conditions may vary greatly, there is always sufficient moisture in the ground and alkali in concrete to present an "Alkali Problem" on the sub-floors that are affected by the ground moisture. It is never safe to assume that a concrete slab will always be dry because it has been dry for several years. In many cases a concrete floor will seem to be dry because the moisture content is very small and evaporates into the air as soon as it reaches the surface. When a floor coating is applied, evaporation is prevented or retarded and the alkaline solution collects under the coating or floor covering and starts destroying the coating.
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Acid/Alkali Disintegration

Our automobiles spread sulfuric acid onto our roads and into the atmosphere. Our sewage systems produce hydrogen sulphide, which when mixed with water also forms sulfuric acid, to disintegrate the concrete pipe and lift stations.

We have hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and carbonic acid which when mixed with water forms other acids that are concrete killers. So, you can see that our industrial society and community waste systems constantly provide the setting for the formation of concrete disintegrating compounds. Alkali can be defined as any base or hydride, such as soda, potash, etc. that is soluble in water, and can neutralize acids. If acids disintegrate concrete, then alkalis should protect it. But, not so.

Sodium hydroxide; also known as sodium hydrate, caustic soda, and lye; is commonly used in oil refineries, paper manufacturers, paints, plastics, soaps, and many other common products. This caustic soda, being on the other end of the pH value scale from acids also will disintegrate concrete. So, since acids on the low end of the scale disintegrate the concrete and the alkalis on the high end of the scale also disintegrate the concrete, then what is the answer? We highly recommend SPS:

SPS: applied to any concrete surface will penetrate the concrete, by a progressive chemical action, the alkali reaction begins immediately, neutralizing it by converting it into a gel which then hardens, binding the components of the concrete into a dense mass. As this takes place the alkali is neutralized permanently.

Plasticizer Migration/Flooring Trade

One of the major problems facing the floor covering industry is plasticizer migration. That is, the movement of substance from one product into another product, so as to create a product deterioration. This product deterioration can take many forms such as: softening, cracking, blistering, peeling, de-lamination, loss of strength, etc.

Today, many floor coverings are laid on a concrete base. The owner has 2 options. First, lay the floor covering on the bare concrete. Or second, seal the concrete before laying the floor covering. Let's examine these 2 options.

First. If the floor covering is laid on bare concrete, there may be a migration of the alkali, other salts or any foreign material down inside the concrete, such as oil, which may attack the adhesive (if used) or the floor coverings directly. These salts will be brought to the surface in a water solution through either capillary action or subsurface water pressure below. Also, any oils, acids, or other such foreign materials down inside the concrete, will migrate to the surface where it will attack the adhesive or the floor covering directly. Subsurface oils may take months to show up at the surface, to attack or discolour the floor covering.

Second. If the concrete is sealed, another set of detrimental factors will start to emerge. The concrete sealants used today are cementitious membranes, polyurethane, epoxies, or oil-based paints. These concrete sealants have 2 things in common. They are surface sealants, and are retro-chemical based. There is a good possibility of a plasticizer migration directly from these surface sealants to the adhesive or floor covering. Also, the alkali or pollutants in the concrete will cause saponification, eventual disintegration or release of the surface which brings on long range problems and excessive costs.

Up until the present time, the above conditions have been the state of technology throughout the floor covering industry. Now the applicator has a third option, a solution to the problem, SPS.

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Floor Covering and Paint Trade

Floor covering failures are caused by one, or a combination of, the following: moisture, alkali, oils, contaminants or hydrostatic pressure. To apply asphalt, vinyl, rubber, tile, etc, three items are necessary-- a floor (usually concrete), adhesive, and covering. We now know the make up of concrete and the problems built into it, in the form of alkali, lime, and moisture. Another important fact is needed, that is porosity. The slab of concrete acts as a sponge and draws moisture from the ground.

The moisture passes through these voids and mixes with the ever present alkali. When this alkali moisture is drawn to the surface of the slab, it comes in contact with the adhesive. When alkaline water meets the adhesive it emulsifies and commences to deteriorate the adhesive. The end result to the floor covering is alkali bubbles and blisters, usually followed by warping, cracking, and peeling of the floor covering which necessitates replacing the covering.

Paints blister and crack on masonry surfaces because of saponification. When soap is manufactured the basic ingredients are a form of alkali and oil. The combination of the alkali in the masonry and the oil in the paint cause the saponification, which results in flaking, blistering, bleeding, and burning off the paint from the surface. Vinyl, rubber, or latex-based paints are in wide spread use today. These, as well as oil based paints, peel and crack off masonry surfaces. The prime reason for this is that the alkali and lime are fighting the paint. In the event that these surface coatings are used as a sealer or waterproofing agent, they must be applied and periodically reapplied so that the coatings are 3 to 6 layers on the surface. These procedures are harmful to masonry and provide only temporary relief.

Laitance & Dusting

SPS eliminates dusting for the life of the concrete and the hazards associated with concrete dusting.

SPS is an excellent bonder of concrete and adds density from the surface, deep into the concrete the effects of laitance are greatly reduced.

Cleaning

SPS when applied to concrete makes the surface cleaning and maintenance easier.

Benefits

1. Resists the penetration of water, oil, acids, juices, and other such liquids
2. Retards acid erosion and disintegration of concrete
3. Retards dusting and pitting of concrete caused by traffic
4. Increases densification and surface hardness
5. Increases compression and flexural strength of concrete
6. Resists the formation of algae and mildew
7. Restores most of the natural colour to the concrete (Whitening effect)
8. Forms better bond between old and new concrete, excellent for prepping or patching
9. Resists additional internal hairline cracking of concrete
10. Stops topical coatings from peeling and burning off, and tile bonding glues from releasing caused by the saponification process

Summary Test Report

Flexural:

Concrete test samples treated with SPS showed a 35% increase in flexural strength.

Compression:

Concrete test samples treated with SPS showed a 42% increase in compression strength at 90 days.

Water Absorption:

Concrete test samples treated with SPS absorbed up to 35% less water by weight than concrete test samples not treated. (treatment was by submersion bath)

Freeze-Thaw Resistance:

Imparts an improved resistance to the freeze-thaw damage under these test conditions.

Efflorescence:

Resistance to efflorescence is significantly improved.

Resistance to Salt Attack:

The treatment of the concrete imparts resistance to salt attack under freeze-thaw conditions in the presence of moisture.

Stain Resistance:

Treated concrete is noticeably more resistant to staining and is easier cleaned than untreated concrete.

Dusting Resistance:

Concrete treated appears to be about twice as resistant to dusting as the untreated concrete.

Concrete Sealers

SILICATE SEALERS

SPS 101
provide unsurpassed sealing performance and unique features, while being environment-friendly and easy to apply.
SPS 101 penetrates deep into concrete (depending on the porosity up to 100MM), react with alkalis and lime, forcefully expand into capillaries and harden into silicate minerals. It is like injecting cement into the capillaries in concrete (silicates are the primary binders of concrete). This permanently seals the concrete, makes it denser and stronger, and preserves it against deterioration.
The resulting seal is so tight that SPS 101
- Stops seepage of water under hydrostatic pressure
- Stops water vapour and even radon gas
- Stops and dusting, reduces stains, efflorescence, and saponification.
- Strengthens and hardens old deteriorated concrete
- Strengthens, tightens, and seals deteriorating mortar
- Helps to form a better and lasting bond between old and new concrete
- Stops rapid hydration from sub surface slab
- Resists the penetration of all kinds of liquid pollutants
- Resists cracking, crumbling, pitting, salt erosion and freeze / thaw spall
- Actions and results are permanent.
- Stops paint from peeling off concrete.

Once is Forever

SPS 101
A colourless, penetrating product which waterproofs and preserves. It is not a surface coating and will in no way change the physical aspects of the present structure. It performs its service within the pores of the masonry itself. It need only be applied once, as it is permanent.
SPS 101
May be applied to stucco, concrete, brick, cement block, terrazzo, walls or floors, inside or outside, wet or dry, new or old. Surfaces must be clean and unpainted.

Sample of Uses

Small sample of where SPS is used